He was enjoying the warmth and peace of lying naked with Annys. His body was pleasantly sated and he could savor the feel of her soft curves without the press of a frantic need. He had even been ready to enjoy that pleasure for a second time. Just as he opened his mouth to order the one banging on the door to leave, a small, soft hand covered his mouth. He looked at Annys and she shook her head. He muttered another curse when she slipped out of bed and began to dress. Knowing there would be no returning to their lovemaking, he got up and started to dress as well. He comforted himself with the knowledge that, now that her resistance had ended, there would be other times they could enjoy. “M’lady?” Joan called from the other side of the door. “Just a moment, Joan,” Annys called back. Annys struggled to bury all sense of embarrassment as she hurried to dress. Not only had Joan made it very clear that she thought Annys should take Harcourt as a lover, she was a widow, a mother, and five and twenty.
